Lorber Takes Sundance Winner "The Red Chapel"

Lorber Films announced from Cannes today that they have acquired all North American rights for "The Red Chapel," directed by Mads Bruegger. The film won the 2010 Sundance Grand Jury Prize in the World Documentary category and was an official selection of the New Directors/New Films series presented by MoMA and the Film Society of Lincoln Center. The acquistion was negotiated on behalf of Lorber Films by Richard Lorber, CEO and Co-President, and Elizabeth Sheldon, Vice President, with Kim Christiansen, Co-production Manager, and Christina Muller, Sales Manager, of DRTV. THE RED CHAPEL was produced by Zentropa, Lars von Trier's production company, and DRTV.

Lorber Films announced from Cannes today that they have acquired all North American rights for "The Red Chapel," directed by Mads Bruegger. The film won the 2010 Sundance Grand Jury Prize in the World Documentary category and was an official selection of the New Directors/New Films series presented by MoMA and the Film Society of Lincoln Center. The acquistion was negotiated on behalf of Lorber Films by Richard Lorber, CEO and Co-President, and Elizabeth Sheldon, Vice President, with Kim Christiansen, Co-production Manager, and Christina Muller, Sales Manager, of DRTV. THE RED CHAPEL was produced by Zentropa, Lars von Trier's production company, and DRTV.

"Mads Bruegger's mischievously hilarious documentary turns the tables on totalitarianism," Lorber said in a statement. "Something of cross between Michael Moore and Monty Python, this filmic covert operation was the most refreshing thing I had seen at many a Sundance and its much deserved award made it an irresistible acquisition. Can't wait to bring it to screens large and small."

The film as described by Lorber Films in a press release:

"Denmark launches an all-out attack on North Korea in this has-to-be-seen-to-be-believed documentary that ventures into territory somewhere between Michael Moore and Borat. Bankrolled by Lars von Trier's Zentropa production company, the aptly named Mads Bruegger travels to Pyongyang on a feigned mission of cultural exchange, bringing a camera crew and the Danish-Korean slapstick-comedy team Red Chapel.

The duo consists of Simon, who aims to perform an acoustic rendition of Oasis's "Wonderwall" accompanied by a choir of Korean schoolgirls, and Jacob, a self-described "spastic" whose mangled speech is incomprehensible to the minders assigned to "assist" the troupe. And while the duped hosts get more than they bargain for--a lot more--the Danish visitors find things aren't as ethically clear-cut as they'd prefer them to be."

Lorber Films plans a theatrical release of the film in the U.S. and Canada later this year, followed by television broadcasts and a DVD release.